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I just wanted to let everyone know that I am in the process of changing web hosts. My new host said that many of you may have trouble viewing my site for 6 to 24 hours, but it may take 3 days for everything to be working correctly for everyone. Since some of the links that point to my site are not currently working, I have doubled the number of posts that are displayed on the homepage.

Last year I didn’t set out to have ”Valentine’s Day on the cheap” but that is what happened and it was my most memorable Valentine’s Day to date.

My husband and I were sick of going to overly crowded restaurants on Valentine’s Day so we decided to spend the night at home. I used a red and white checked picnic table cloth as my inspiration and decided to do an Italian night. I asked my husband to get me a single white carnation which I placed in a simple vase in the middle of the table along with a few candles. To give it more of a restaurant feel, I printed out a menu using MS Word and the font Script MT Bold. Music I had downloaded free off the internet played in the background which included songs like The Godfather Theme, Tarantella Napoletana, O Mio Babbino Caro and That’s Amore. We prepared the meal together which consisted of baked Ziti with salad and bread and cheesecake pie for dessert. Alcohol is not necessary so there was no additional cost there. Instead of buying cards we decided to write out a list of reasons why we loved each other. After dinner we read to each other our lists. I do love a funny card but this was so much more personal. It is also nice to know that I am loved because I walk around the house singing songs from commercials. =)

All in all this memorable but cheap Valentine’s Day was just over $20. Pretty good I’d say.

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I receive a ton of email forwards that are usually funny, but not really useful. Today I got one from my grandfather that I would like to share with you. I have no idea who originally put this together but credit does go to someone so to that person I say thanks!

Coffee filters … who knew! And you can by 1,000 at the Dollar Tree for almost nothing.

1. Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.
Coffee filters make excellent covers.

2. Clean windows and mirrors. Coffee filters are lint-free so they’ll leave windows sparkling.

3. Protect China . Separate your good dishes by putting a coffee filter between each dish.

4. Filter broken cork from wine. If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine through a coffee filter.

5. Protect a cast-iron skillet. Place a coffee filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.

6. Apply shoe polish. Ball up a lint-free coffee filter.

7. Recycle frying oil. After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a coffee filter.

8. Weigh chopped foods. Place chopped ingredients in a coffee filter on a kitchen scale.

9. Hold tacos. Coffee filters make convenient wrappers for messy stuff.

10. Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot. Line a plant pot with a coffee filter to prevent the soil from going through the drainage holes.

11. Prevent a Popsicle from dripping. Poke one or two holes as needed in a coffee filter.

12. Do you think we used expensive strips to wax eyebrows? Use strips of coffee filters.

13. Put a few in a plate and put your fried bacon, french fries, chicken fingers, etc on them. Soaks out all the grease.

14. Keep in the bathroom. They make great “razor nick fixers.”

If you have a thrifty tip you would like to see featured on The Freebie Blogger, please send me an email!

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I just wanted to let everyone know that with Christmas, New Years and my sister’s baby shower all happening within the next 12 days things may be slowing down at The Freebie Blogger just a bit. But don’t worry, everything will be back to normal by 1/5/09.

Lately it has felt like Christmas each time I open my mailbox since I’ve been getting so many good freebies this month. What have I received? I finally got my very first Right at Home gift pack which included a coupon booklet, full size air freshener and 10 Ziploc Zip ‘n Steam bags, a $5 gift card from Sears, two pairs of socks (plus coupons) from No Nonsense, and four cans of tomatoes from Muir Glen along with the usual free samples and magazine subscriptions. Unfortunately, all the promotions mentioned above have since ended, but always check back here. You never know what you may find.

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Normally I write about all things free and cheap, but let’s face it: I can’t tell you how to get free designer jeans. And all those free tubes of toothpaste you got at the drugstores won’t make very good gifts for your husband or wife. So take a little of that cash I’ve helped you save and head over to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Whichever store is nearer to you, you’re going to find great savings on brand name and designer items for the holidays. They have the same in-season, top brands you find at department stores but at savings up to 60%. Look for the red-tagged clearance items to save even more!

Last Saturday I went to Marshalls looking to finish up my Christmas shopping list. I started off in the toy section and found that my store had tables of gifts organized by price. How convenient. Once I finished up my list I headed to the gourmet food aisle. My husband picked up a Panetonne from Italy at 25% off retail, and I got some chocolate covered espresso beans for a new holiday cookie recipe I am trying for less than at the grocery store!

The clothing racks are separated by size instead of by brand, so you can just park your cart next to the rack and it is like browsing through an entire department. I found a chic black top to wear to my Christmas Eve party at 50% off retail. There’s nothing better than the combination of low-price and high-style in my book.

Later I went to T.J. Maxx and ended up picking out a gift for … well, myself. I have had a terrible time finding jeans at the discount stores. Either they fit at the thigh and are loose at the waist, or they fit at the waist and are baggy in the rear. Come on, did they lose the pants pattern at the factory or what? I have no trouble finding jeans at higher priced stores, but the designer jeans are more that twice what I am willing to pay. This is why T.J. Maxx is so great. I was able to find a nice fitting pair of jeans for more than half-off the price of jeans at the mall.

I also found a tree topper to go with my red and gold themed Christmas tree, and believe me I spent a year looking for just the right one.

And by the way, I did pick up some great gifts at a big discount, but if I told you too much here I would ruin their surprise. Let’s just say you can find great gifts for everyone from that new baby nephew to grandpa the golfer.

This some something my mother-in-law does every year. She will take one day and bake quite a few loaves of banana and zucchini bread. Once they are cool she will wrap them in wax paper and foil and place them in the freezer. So when she needs a gift, all she has to do is defrost and add a bow. These are especially great for teachers, neighbors, unexpected guests, and holiday party hostesses.

Banana Bread:
my recipe

1 3/4 C. All Purpose Flour,  2 t. Baking Powder,  1/4 t. Baking Soda,  1/2 t. Salt,  1/2 C. Brown Sugar,  1/4 C. White Sugar,  1/3 C. Butter (softened),  2 Eggs,  1 t. Vanilla Butter Nut (or you can just use vanilla),  1 1/2 C. Mashed Banana,  1/2 C. Chopped Walnuts,  1 t. Cinnamon,  1/2 t. Nutmeg (you could increase the nutmeg to a full teaspoon if you would like it more heavily spiced)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, white sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a separate bowl, combine softened butter with brown sugar, then add eggs, mashed banana, vanilla butter nut, and walnuts. Combine both bowls (mixing together well) and put in an 8 X 4 greased loaf pan. Bake for one hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean. Makes one loaf.

Zucchini Bread:
my mother-in-law’s recipe

4 Eggs,  2 C. Sugar,  1 C. Vegetable Oil,  3 1/2 C. Flour,  1 1/2 t. Baking Soda,  1 t. Baking Powder,  1 1/2 t. Salt, 1 t. Cinnamon,  1 t. Vanilla,  2 C. Grated Zucchini (peeled & large seeds discarded),  1 C. Raisins,  1 C. Chopped Nuts, 1/3 C. Sour Cream or Milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat eggs until light, then add sugar and oil. Combine dry ingredients in a second bowl. Slowly add the dry ingredients, zucchini and sour cream to the egg mixture. Stir in raisins, nuts, and vanilla. Bake in two greased and lightly floured loaf pans for about 55 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes, then turn out to cool. Makes two loaves. 

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I started making these a few years ago after I was drawn to them in our local grocery store, but couldn’t afford to buy them with their $5 a piece price tag. Not only are these super tasty, but they look quite impressive and the gift recipients will be able to see just how hard you worked on them. They are a little time consuming to make but very easy once you get the hang of it, and can be made with as little as 5 items (including packaging)!

I use pretzel rods and chocolate chips (any flavor will do). I melt my chocolate on low in my mini crock pot but normally people would use a double broiler. Dip the pretzels in about ½ to ¾ of the way. Let any excess chocolate drip off before placing on a sheet of wax paper in the freezer (I think they have a better shape this way). Once set, dip a second time and place back in the freezer just long enough that it won’t make a mess when you roll it in the toppings. I like to use chopped nuts, crushed candy canes, and sprinkles for the topping, as well as drizzled chocolate in another color. Make sure to place back in the freezer until the chocolate has set. Once set, place in cellophane bags and tie shut with a festive bow.

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Christmas Freebies

I just wanted to wish all my readers a

Happy Thanksgiving!

Compared to Thanksgiving dinner, Turkey Roll-ups are a cheap and easy way to create the same flavors. Serve with easy to make side dishes and you have a Thanksgiving dinner for any day of the week. Looking for a sweet and healthy treat to serve up with this meal? Just scroll down.

Turkey Roll-ups

4 slices Deli Turkey Breast
One box stuffing mix
Can of turkey gravy (or make your own)

Make stuffing as directed on the box. Spoon equal amounts of stuffing onto each slice of turkey, then roll up. Place the roll-ups in a greased baking dish and pour gravy over top. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for about a 1/2 hour, or until gravy is bubbling.

Serve with instant potatoes, green beans and bread with butter to keep this dinner super easy. Serves 4

Weight Watcher Muffins

1 Box Cake Mix (I prefer Spice cake but you can use pumpkin, chocolate or anything really)
1 Can of Pumpkin

Mix together and bake according to the directions on the box. Thanks Michelle!

I want to thank everyone who stopped by The Coupon Cupboard and voted for me as their favorite bargain blogger. Many of you went out of your way campainging for my website. It was very sweet and very unexpected. The Amazon gift card I won will be put to good use this Christmas. Thanks again!

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Can You Do Me A Favor?

I was nominated by Sisterly Savings as favorite bargain blog at The Coupon Cupboard. I want to ask all of you, if I have ever gotten you something for free or helped you save money, to please stop by The Coupon Cupboard and vote for The Freebie Blogger as your favorite blog. It only takes a few seconds, and you don’t have to register. The winner will get a $30 Amazon gift card and even though I don’t expect to win, I would like to make a good showing. Thanks in advance.

Wendi

Free Treat Bag, Funlight, and Brach’s Candy!

CVS will be having a two-day sale Sunday October 19th and Monday October 20th where you can get two free Pumpkin Pails, Funlights, and 10 oz. bags of Brach’s fall candy after ECBs! 

Homemade Halloween Costumes:

RobinsFYI.com has tons of great costume ideas that can be made from stuff lying around your house and bought from a thrift, dollar, or craft store. Costume ideas include all the old favorites like ghost, hippie, and scarecrow plus new ideas like the American tourist and bag of jelly beans.

Great cheap costume idea for littler ones:

Sleeper PJ’s become costumes very easily. Add a cotton tail and floppy ears: bunny. Long tail and upright ears, draw whiskers on cheeks: kitty. Those headband ears are pretty cheap. Safety pins make it all temporary, just unpin and ready for bed. With them all so young, a herd of colored bunnies would be cute coming up the walk. From Maggie on About.com

Read the rest of this entry »

At least that is what my brother in law said last night. I guess my sister in law was talking to a few moms at her children’s school about saving money when somebody brought up The Freebie Blogger! I know that people from all over the country visit this site, but to have someone talk about me, and then to have it get back to me is just about the neatest thing ever. So I want to thank that person in Illinois, whoever you are, for making my month! And thank you to everyone else who visits, leaves comments, sends me deals, and links to my site. It really means the world to me!

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My day got off to a bad start this morning. Matt and I decided to stay home as opposed to going to a museum for free, since we have so much yard work to get done. I wanted to quickly get my posts put up but this computer was giving me a hard time and I got behind. But, my day turned around when Matt got the mail.

I finally received the Proctor and Gamble coupons for doing that survey a while back. The coupons are the same thing we will be getting in the paper tomorrow, but the more the better I always say. Having two $1 off Frebreze Air Effects coupons will be great for the Walgreens deal that starts tomorrow. I also got my $5 Chevron gas card, which brings my free gas total to $80 for the year. A new Home Made Simple coupon book came (sign up here) and it has another coupon for a free bottle of Cascade Crystal Clear. While I’m on the subject, I want to mention that last weekend I received a Rewards Gold magazine subscription (I know I few of you were questioning whether they would really come).

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I was nominated for this blog award by The Eclectic WAHM. Thank you so very much!!! I would like to pass this award on to five blogs that are definitely worthy:

CorgiPants

“Deal”ectible Mommies

Home and Family Ezine

Make Money Work Online

We Like Money

I guess that anyone who reads this blog would just assume that I was cheap, but really, I am a spender at heart. I have always had a problem with impulse buying. For a short time I constantly had a pile of returns to make, things I had felt guilty about purchasing after the fact. I have finally put an end to my buyer’s remorse, mostly because of the fact that there is less money to be spent in general and now I spend all my free time blogging (not shopping).

But anyways …

Earlier this week Matt and I went to the county fair. Our main reason for going was to get some of that wonderfully bad for you but oh so delicious fair food. I got my usual lemonade … or what I thought was a lemonade. It turned out to be a bitter, slightly chemical tasting lemon slush. Now, the sign did say lemon slush but there were two types of glasses on the counter, one of which said lemonade (the same glasses that regular lemonade is always in). We sat there and pondered for a minute, “Could we really return a food item at the fair?” My husband decided to give it a try, after all, this was no cheap lemonade lemon slush and neither of us was going to drink it. The man put up a fight saying that we should have read the sign but he gave in when he couldn’t argue the fact that it tasted like crap.

So there, it has been done. I have now sealed my fate as a cheap person by making a return to a lemonade stand. =)

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Purina Cat chow is donating $175,000 to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. For every person who completes their breast cancer awareness questions they will donate an additonal $1 up to $50,000. What a great way to spend a few free minutes of your time.

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My site was down again last night, bringing my total downtime for the month to 8 hours. On top of that, when it is up it runs so slowly. I just can’t take it anymore. I had said earlier that I was going to wait until my year with Startlogic was up before I switched, but I have now changed my mind. I apologize if you were trying to visit last night and couldn’t. I hope to have this all taken care of very soon. Again I ask the question: Does anyone have a great web host that they can recommend?

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